Chapter 45 - Shocking!

Graven coughed a little and smiled. "Wow, such a beauty! Is this my sister-in-law? Laura, right?" he said and extended his right hand to her for a handshake.

"No need for formality, brother," Cooper interjected.​​

Laura can't even move due to shock.

"Okay," Graven said and put down his hand on his side without a hint of disappointment in his eyes, he lowered himself on the chair. He looked at Laura. "Nice meeting you, sister-in-law! I'm looking forward to seeing you walk on the aisle and exchanged vows with my brother on the altar," he said. He wore a pleasant smile on his face while saying those words.

Laura took a deep breath. How can he look so calm as if he didn't know her at all? Was he pretending that he doesn't know her? Wait...there's another thing she noticed with Luke...his voice! So different from the Luke she knew! What the hell is going on?

The way Graven talk, smile, and looked at her was the same as Luke!

Damn, she's getting a headache!

Simon looked at his daughter.

Laura cleared the lump on her throat and granted him a fake smile for everyone's benefit. "Nice meeting you, brother-in-law!" she finally responded.

Since she already lost her appetite for eating, she picked up the spoon from the floor. "I'll bring this to the kitchen," she said.

"No need, I'll have the servant get a new spoon for you," said Nicholas.

"It's okay, Father. I also need to wash my hand in the kitchen. 'I'll be back..." she said and proceed to exit the dining room area.

The moment Laura was out of the dining area, whew, she was able to breathe easily. Still, the frantic beating of her heart refused to calm down.

Neeza comes to her side. "Miss, what is that spoon you are holding in your hand?" she inquired.

"Ah, this one, I dropped it on the floor accidentally. I need to get a new one in the kitchen," she said.

"No need, Miss. I'll get a new spoon for you," Neeza volunteered.

"Where is the kitchen? I need to wash my hands as well," Laura said.

"Follow me, Miss," said Neeza.

They walked towards the kitchen.

Laura and Neeza entered the kitchen. The cook was currently cleaning the area after cooking.

Laura went to the sink and washed her hands with soap.

"Sorry for intruding, I need to wash my hands," she said, smiling at the cook. The cook smiled shyly at her.

A moment later.

Laura exited the kitchen holding a clean spoon in her right hand, she went back to the dining room. She lowered herself on the seat beside Cooper who shoots her a sour look. Huh? She's wondering why Cooper is moody now?

She continues eating the foods on her plate but she no longer adds any more dishes because she already loses her appetite. She kept glancing at Graven every chance she got, trying to establish eye contact with him.

But Graven seemed to be avoiding her gaze and never look at her again. Laura was furious.

Cooper was silently watching Laura's movement and actions.

Half an hour later.

They finished eating lunch.

They left the dining room area and proceed to have chitchat in the living room.

Laura was simmering inside, uneasy feeling formed a knot in her stomach. She failed to catch Graven's eyes and attention. Damn! He was content in talking to the old folks all the time.

This won't do! She needs to talk to him and ask him a lot of questions! Every minute that she's in the same room with Graven, she feels that he was indeed the Luke that she fall in love with!

She can't be mistaken! The only wrong thing is his voice, there's a big difference between Luke and Graven's voice. Maybe he contracted an illness that changed his voice? That's the only explanation she can find to explain the voice difference between the two men.

Graven, Nicholas, and Simon exited the living room and proceed to the veranda.

Cooper can no longer bear it! Laura has been constantly ignoring him. "Busy in catching my brother's attention, eh? You want to marry him, instead of me, after seeing him?" he said in a salty voice.

Laura's brows knitted together while looking at Cooper. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Cooper smiled sadly. "I know it! You are attracted to my brother the first time you see him. You even purposely dropped the spoon on the floor to catch his attention!" he accused her.

Laura took a deep breath. Damn, Cooper is getting jealous for no reason at all. "It's not what you're thinking..." she replied.

Cooper smiled bitterly. "Yeah...yeah...yeah...deny all you want! Do you think I didn't notice that you are trying to catch my brother's attention each time? Do you think I'm blind with your so-called innocent intention?" he continues ranting.

Laura sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. Damn! Cooper is acting like a jealous husband now, it's getting irritating! She needs to get away from Cooper or else she might say something stupid to him that she will only regret later. "I have to go upstairs to my bedroom to rest 'coz I'm having a headache. I'll talk to you later," she said and left Cooper's side without giving him another glance.

Cooper watched as Laura ascended the stairs, gritting his teeth in anger because she abandoned him. It happened before, all the women he likes in the past, after meeting his brother, would leave his side and go after his brother who is better looking than him. All women are slut!

That is why he likes the women in the brothel because when he visited them, as long he gives them money they will lavish him with their attention and their body exclusively. When he goes to the brothel, he feels handsome because women there - flock to him for his money. The excessive attention and affection they give him make him feel good.

He hated his brother for his good looks and his excellent business acumen. That is why he let him do the hard work while he just contents himself in wasting the money on women and vices, that is his way of punishing his brother. Let him do the hard work while he lives a go lucky and carefree life enjoying Graven's and his father's hard work and effort.

Today, after seeing how his future wife fawned at his brother, he hated them both. But he will still marry Laura because she is beautiful and a good catch. He would have a good time punishing her for liking his brother after they got married.

He knew that his father, his brother, and Laura's father were talking about business right now. Obviously, he doesn't like talking about business, he can't relate to what they are talking about. He will only get bored if he joined in their conversation.

He will just wait for his brother outside.

He needs to talk to him!